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Miami Book Fair International

Coordinates: 25°46′41.26″N 80°11′25.36″W / 25.7781278°N 80.1903778°W / 25.7781278; -80.1903778
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Miami Book Fair
StatusActive
GenreMulti-genre
VenueMiami Dade College
Location(s)Miami, Florida
CountryUS
Inaugurated1984
Attendance200,000
Organized byMiami Book Fair @ Miami Dade College
Websitewww.miamibookfair.com

The Miami Book Fair is an annual street fair and literary festival organized by Miami Dade College.

History

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Miami Book Fair International, originally known as "Books by the Bay," was founded in 1984 by Miami Dade College President Eduardo J. Padrón, Books & Books owner Mitchell Kaplan, Craig Pollock of BookWorks, and other local bookstore owners in cooperation with the Miami-Dade Public Library System.[1][2] The two primary organizers of the inaugural 1984 Book Fair from the Miami-Dade Public Library System were Head of Community Relations Margarita Cano and Wolfsonian campus librarian Juanita Johnson.[3]

Community Partners and Sponsors

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Florida Center for the Literary Arts (FCLA)

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The Florida Center for the Literary Arts (FCLA) is affiliated with the Miami Book Fair International.[4] A permanent endowment for the FCLA was established with a grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.[4] Full programming began in January 2002.[4]

As a department of Miami Dade College, FCLA generates programs to support authors and writing, journalism, play and screen writing, reading and literacy, as well as the Miami Book Fair International.[4] Outreach consists of reading campaigns and book discussions, writing workshops, author presentations, panel discussions, and master classes.[4] The Center collaborates with Florida-based cultural institutions and other partners to advance literary initiatives. [citation needed]

Events

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Festival of Authors

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Typically more than 300 authors from around the world participate in the Fair's international Festival of Authors.[5] Writers come from across the United States and other countries including Argentina, Bosnia, Brazil, Canada, China, Cuba, Dominican Republic, England, France, Finland, Guatemala, Haiti, Hong Kong, Israel, Ireland, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Philippines, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Taiwan, Trinidad, among others.[5]

Evenings With...Series

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The "Evenings With… series" features readings by writers every evening for six consecutive festival days. Past guest authors have included recipients of the Nobel Prize in Literature, Pulitzer Prize, National Book Award, Casa de las Americas Prize, Pushcart Prize, O'Henry Award, National Magazine Award, Commonwealth Prize, MacArthur Fellowship, and Edgar Award.[5]

Street Fair

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The three-day outdoor festival gathers hundreds of booksellers and exhibitors from major publishing houses, small presses, scholarly imprints, and foreign publishers.[5] Sellers of used books, including signed first editions, original manuscripts, and other collectibles, also participate. Millions of books in multiple languages are available, along with book signings and musical entertainment, during the weekend Fair activity.[5]

Comix Galaxy

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Jonathan Case at the Comic Galaxy Program, MBFI 2011

Comic Galaxy is a Fair program offering information on graphic novels and the comics world. It celebrates their place in United States literary life and their increasing popularity and integration into mainstream literature, culture, and education.[6] The School of Comics, a prominent part of Comic Galaxy, is a day-long program with six sessions for teachers, librarians, parents, and others interested in the format,[7] and special training for established comic book creators.[7]

Children's Alley

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Children's Alley, designed for young readers, features storytelling, puppets, theatrical performances, educational games, and hands-on activities.[8] Generation Genius, a program within Children's Alley, hosts thousands of school-aged children annually.[9] Miami Book Fair International also offers workshops and presentations to local teachers, librarians, and educators as part of Generation Genius.[9] Programs are provided in cooperation with Miami Art Museum, HistoryMiami, Miami Children's Museum, Miami Science Museum, Early Learning Coalition of Miami Dade/Monroe, and Florida Blue.[9]

Ibero-American Authors

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Cuban poet Néstor Díaz de Villegas at Spanish Language author program, MBFI 2011

Ibero-American Authors is Miami Book Fair International's Spanish and Portuguese language author program. More than 50 authors from various Latin American countries are featured during the eight days of the Fair.[5] Readings take place nightly during the week and throughout the weekend.[10]

Twilight Tastings and the Kitchen

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Miami Book Fair International also includes hors d'oeuvre, complimentary cocktails, and nightly entertainment before weeknight author presentations.[11] The Kitchen combines cooking demonstrations and author readings by featured cookbook authors and chefs as they recreate recipes from their books.[12]

LGBTQIA+ Topics

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Authors writing on LGBTQIA+ topics are represented throughout the festival with titles in fiction, non-fiction, memoir, and erotica. Many featured authors are Lambda Award winners or finalists.[13]

Miami Writer's Institute

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Center for Literature and Theatre faculty, authors, and agents provide workshops related to fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and publishing.[14] The Center offers one and three-day workshops, with several taking place in Spanish.[9]

Recent-Year Highlights

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2014

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In 2014, the Miami Book Fair International partnered with the National Book Foundation to offer programming focused on 2014 National Book Award nominees and winners.[15] Some of the authors appearing at Miami Book Fair International 2014 included:[16][17]


2013

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Reza Aslan at the MBFI 2013
Jennifer Weiner and Erica Jong at the MBFI 2013

The 30th edition of the Fair celebrated the culture and literature of Spain.[18] Authors appearing at Miami Book Fair International 2013 included:[19]

2012

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The featured country of 2012's Miami Book Fair International was Paraguay. Paraguayan culture was showcased through film, dance, and fine and folkloric arts.[20]

Authors at Miami Book Fair International 2012 included:[9]

2011

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Chuck Palahniuk at the MBFI 2011
Jeffrey Eugenides at the MBFI 2011

Miami Book Fair International 2011 included demonstrations of Chinese culture and art and discussions of social issues facing contemporary China.[21] An international symposium on Chinese language, culture, and communication was also held.[21]

Authors participating in Miami Book Fair International 2011 included:[22]

2010

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The fair dedicated its international space to Mexico, in celebration of the bicentennial of the nation's independence and the centennial of its 1910 revolution.[23] Events included author presentations and roundtables, Ballet performances, art and photography exhibitions, a movie series, and theater performances.[23]

Authors participating in Miami Book Fair International 2010 included:[24]


2009

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Environmental issues were a focus of Miami Book Fair International 2009.[25] The college used native plants on stages and entrances, which were later planted in the community. [25] Bike Valet parking service was available, and recycling programs were promoted.[25]

Authors appearing at Miami Book Fair International 2009 included:[26]


See also

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References

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  1. ^ Kelleher, Terry (November 3, 1985). "Big Names Highlight Book Fair". Sun-Sentinel. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved October 10, 2013.
  2. ^ "Mitchell Kaplan to Receive Lifetime Achievement Awards at the 2011 National Book Award Ceremony". National Book Foundation. Retrieved October 5, 2013.
  3. ^ Padron, Eduardo (November 8, 2009). "The birth of the Book Fair". The Miami Herald. Miami, Florida. p. 8MB.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Florida Center for the Literary Arts (FCLA) History". The Center @ MDC. Miami Dade College. Retrieved October 5, 2013.
  5. ^ a b c d e f "A Guide to Miami Book Fair International". WFOR-TV. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
  6. ^ "Fanboys and Families: Miami Book Fair Debuts Comix Galaxy". Publishers Weekly Comics Week. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
  7. ^ a b "Miami Book Fair International's Comix Galaxy to Celebrate Graphic Novels and Comic Books". Caribbean Today. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved October 10, 2013.
  8. ^ "Miami Book Fair International Fosters Generation Genius – Literacy and Learning for Children and Teens". MDC in the News. Miami Dade College. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
  9. ^ a b c d e "Miami Book Fair International Fairgoer's Guide 2012" (PDF). Miami Book Fair International. Retrieved October 10, 2013.
  10. ^ "Miami Book Fair International". Pulse Culture. Retrieved October 10, 2013.
  11. ^ "Twilight Tastings at Miami Book Fair". Between the Covers: Inside Books with Connie Ogle. Miami Herald. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
  12. ^ "Miami Book Fair International Presents Exciting New Culinary Program, The Kitchen". MDC in the News. Miami Dade College. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
  13. ^ "LGBT Authors and Books at the Miami Book Fair". South Florida Gay News. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
  14. ^ "Writers Institute at Miami Dade". Off the Page. Sun Sentinel. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
  15. ^ Italie, Hillel (October 15, 2014). "National Book Award Finalists Announced". Miami Herald. Retrieved November 2, 2014.
  16. ^ Bermudez, Vivian (October 20, 2014). "Book Fair International Returns to Downtown Miami". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved November 1, 2014.
  17. ^ "2014 Fairgoer's Guide" (PDF). Miami Book Fair International. Miami-Dade College. Retrieved November 2, 2014.
  18. ^ "Miami Book Fair International 2013 selects Spain as its featured country". ARS News. America Reads Spanish. Retrieved October 10, 2013.
  19. ^ "Miami Book Fair International". Retrieved October 9, 2013 – via Facebook.
  20. ^ "Miami Book Fair International". The Promenade Newspaper. Retrieved October 10, 2013.
  21. ^ a b "Focus on China". Miami Book Fair International. Retrieved October 10, 2013.
  22. ^ "Miami Book Fair International Fairgoer's Guide 2011" (PDF). Author Appearance Schedule. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
  23. ^ a b "Mexico Center Stage with 14 Authors at Miami Book Fair International". Banders News Entertainment & Books. Banderas News. Retrieved October 10, 2013.
  24. ^ "Miami Book Fair International Fairgoer's Guide 2010" (PDF). Author Appearance Schedule. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
  25. ^ a b c "2009 Miami Book Fair International Staying Green!". News and Events. Miami Dade College. Retrieved October 10, 2013.
  26. ^ "Miami Book Fair International Fairgoer's Guide 2009" (PDF). Author Appearance Schedule. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 26, 2012. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
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